#France #oncology #Pierre Fabre #Iktos #Castres

New AI-Powered Collaboration for Drug Discovery in Oncology

Pierre Fabre Laboratories and Iktos have joined forces in a significant collaboration to enhance drug discovery for oncology treatments using artificial intelligence. This partnership marks a notable advancement in the intersection of AI technology and pharmaceutical research, reflecting a dedication by both companies to revolutionize cancer treatment through innovative approaches.

The collaboration aims to harness Iktos’ AI-driven generative design platform to identify and develop novel small-molecule drug candidates specifically targeting oncology challenges. This initiative combines Pierre Fabre’s extensive expertise in oncology research and development with Iktos’ cutting-edge technology. By leveraging these complementary strengths, the companies expect to streamline the drug discovery process, making it more efficient and targeted.

The terms of the collaboration involve Iktos using its proprietary generative design methods to accelerate the identification of optimized drug candidates. Meanwhile, Pierre Fabre will provide crucial insights and guidance for the evaluation and development of these candidates, ensuring they meet the necessary criteria for clinical potential.

Although specific financial details of the partnership remain undisclosed, it includes an upfront payment and several future milestone payments contingent upon the progress of the collaborative efforts.

Audrey Kauffmann, Head of Data Science and Biometry at Pierre Fabre Medical Care R&D, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing its significance in building an AI-driven research and development framework. She stated, “By integrating Iktos' generative AI and automated chemistry technologies into our research platforms, we are taking a crucial step towards realizing our data and AI strategy.” This sentiment reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the quality and success rates of drug development processes, particularly in the oncology sector, which is marked by urgent patient needs and complex challenges.

Olivier Geneste, Head of Drug Discovery at Pierre Fabre, echoed this excitement, believing Iktos’ AI capabilities will greatly enhance and mitigate risks in discovering innovative therapeutics tailored to meet significant, unmet medical needs within cancer care. Iktos’ CEO, Yann Gaston-Mathé, also shared his eagerness for this partnership, highlighting how it merges Iktos’ technological prowess with Pierre Fabre's scientific expertise—a combination they believe will lead to significant breakthroughs in providing new therapeutic solutions for cancer patients worldwide.

Expansion of Drug Discovery Pipeline

Through this collaboration, Pierre Fabre encourages a robust addition to its existing pipeline focused on precision oncology. The company is currently developing several promising candidates, such as mutant-selective EGFR inhibitors aimed at targeting non-small cell lung cancer, and evaluating compounds for efficacy in various solid tumors driven by genetic alterations.

Additionally, we see collaborations with companies like Vernalis Ltd. aimed at identifying preclinical candidates across various oncology targets. Efforts are also underway in partnership with RedRidge Bio to advance the development of biparatopic antibodies targeting multiple areas in precision oncology and dermatology.

Pierre Fabre’s Commitment to Oncology

Pierre Fabre Laboratories is a significant player in the global dermo-cosmetics market and a leading pharma company in Europe, renowned for its commitment to oncology research and development spanning more than four decades. The company has consistently demonstrated its dedication to addressing critical healthcare needs through innovative drug formulations and strategies. With ongoing R&D efforts and a global reach, Pierre Fabre’s oncology division achieved over 520 million euros in revenues in 2024, underscoring their pivotal role in the industry.

The company’s structure supports its independence and long-term vision, with an overarching goal of contributing to community health through consistent investments in healthcare-access programs in underserved regions. This dedication to corporate social responsibility has garnered recognition, including an Exemplary level certification in sustainable development as per ISO 26000 standards.

As Iktos continues its trajectory of innovation—having recently acquired Synsight and secured significant funding for advanced research—this partnership marks a progressive step towards integrating AI into drug discovery, potentially revolutionizing therapeutic approaches and efficiencies in the oncology sector.

As the landscape for drug discovery evolves, this collaboration between Pierre Fabre Laboratories and Iktos is poised to be a significant point of reference in the field, opening new avenues for the development of impactful cancer therapies.